Swansea City will be eager to kick on next year after Russell Martin's first season in charge of the South Wales club. 

The Swans, who have certainly shown positive signs under the former MK Dons boss, will be using this summer to best prepare themselves for a season where the Championship play-offs are likely to be targeted as an objective.

Possessing some strong options still contracted at the Swansea.com Stadium, Martin will also be looking elsewhere to bolster his squad for the rigours of an expected play-off push.

One market that he will be looking to navigate particularly well will be the free agent market, with lots of players around the country, and beyond, coming to the end of their respective contracts.

Here, we take a look at eight players who are nearing the expiry of their contracts, who could be suited for the project Russell Martin has started at Swansea...

Linked with a South Wales return, Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen could find himself back at the Swansea.com Stadium during this summer.

The 32-year-old, who progressed through the club's academy before his 2007 debut, spent five years within the senior set up at the Championship club, with a 2012 move to Liverpool following.

A real technical, and an intelligent midfielder, the current Stoke midfielder would certainly bolster Martin's current options and would provide plenty of experience for the young manager to depend upon.

Enjoying a productive loan spell with the Swans from January onwards, Cyrus Christie has excelled in Swansea colours, proving a real attacking threat whilst consistently displaying defensive resilience.

Following the departure of Ethan Laird in January, Christie has filled what was expected to be a void seamlessly, chipping in with three goals and five assists along the way.

According to a Wales Online report, Martin is keen to bring Christie back to the Swansea.com Stadium this summer, with his Fulham contract set to expire.

Andy Rinomhota is a midfielder that could attract lots of attention as he enters the concluding stages of his contract at Reading.

An excellent technician, a gritty operator, and a bundle of energy, the 25-year-old certainly ticks a lot of boxes, however, he is currently sidelined at the moment with a knee injury.

Rinomhota has emerged as an important member of the Royals squad in recent years, with there being little sign that he will sign fresh terms at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

If the Swans are unsuccessful, are beat to the signing of Christie, then Forest Green Rovers wing-back Kane Wilson is someone who should at least be considered.

The exciting 22-year-old won League Two's Player of the Season award at the EFL awards at the end of last month, enjoying an incredible season to play a major role in their promotion to League One.

Scoring three times and providing a further 14 assists in 45 league games, Wilson has proven to be a constant threat on the right flank and could step up to the rigours of Championship football with the Swans.

On the opposite flank, Lee Buchanan is someone who deserves to be playing his football in the Championship next season.

The youthful nature of Derby's squad this season has meant that the young wing-back has been one of the more senior figures, with Buchanan showing excellent maturity as a result.

Buchanan also represents a versatile option, having spent a large enough chunk of the campaign, operating a left-sided centre-back position, proving to be a steady option for Wayne Rooney to depend upon.

Taking the attention back to the right wing-back position, Ryan Nyambe is another player who provides an attacking service and has the defensive capabilities required to help a club like Swansea progress.

The Blackburn Rovers man also represents a more youthful option that Cyrus Christie and still has a very high potential.

Like several of the players discussed thus far, there is likely to be widespread interest in the Rovers defender's services, especially when he is likely to be a available on a free.

It looks like Callum O'Dowda's future may lie away from Bristol City, and Swansea are a club who could take advantage of that situation.

Injuries has hindered his recent progress with the Robins, with a recent report stating that five Championship outfits are interested in a move for the 27-year-old.

Possessing the versatility to operate in a left wing-back role, further up on the wing, or as a number 10, O'Dowda's flexibility could make him an option for Martin.

Tom Barkhuizen's inclusion on Preston North End's released list was a little shock, given the ability he has shown in previous seasons.

The 28-year-old, who offers bags of pace and a great end-product, could be a real coup for a Championship club who is looking to bolster the competition levels within the squad .

If Swansea were to make a move for the winger/wing-back then it is likely that they will face divisional competition for his services following his PNE release.